Trailblazer Yao Ming retires

[AsahinaKimi]

Basketball star Yao Ming announced his retirement on Wednesday after a trailblazing career that made him China's best-known athlete and helped spur the game's global growth.

The towering 2.29m (7ft 6in) star made the announcement, which had been widely expected, during a press conference in his home city of Shanghai after his last two seasons with the Houston Rockets were dogged by injuries.

Yao, 30, said he had "waited and hoped that I could return" from a broken foot last year.

"It was a frustrating period and many thoughts crossed my mind. Today I would like to announce my personal decision to formally retire as a basketball player," he said.

more..
http://news.yahoo.com/basketball-star-yao-ming-retires-093739689.html

[a kennedy]

1. Saw a POV or some such show on Yao when he first came to

America.....thought he was gonna be a fan favorite.... Feel bad he had to quit due to medical issues....to bad, was good for the NBA.

[brendan120678]

2. I think "Trailblazer" isn't the best word to use in the title....

especially considering that there is a Trailblazers in the NBA, that Ming has never played for.

It took me a second to realize that they were talking about his career being "trailblazing," not that he was a member of the Trailblazers.

[AsahinaKimi]

3. Their title not mine...however

I can see where that would be confusing.

[Twillig]

5. A center retiring from the NBA due to leg injuries...

Honorary Trailblazer. :-(

[H2O Man]

4. That's sad.

He was a good athlete, and fun to watch play. I hate seeing athletes having their career impacted, including ending early, because of injuries.